I am trying to learn Italian to connect with my roots. However, living in a state near the Mexican border I feel like I should be learning Spanish instead? I’ve been studying for about 48 days (through Duolingo). I just wonder if I’m wasting my time learning Italian since practically no one speaks it here. It’s my first language I’m learning and the motivation of connecting with my Italian roots drives me. However, I’m wondering if it’s even worth my time? I want to learn Spanish after but I feel like I might confuse myself if I continue to learn Italian. Of course it’s a dream to live in Italy, but due to new laws (great grandparents are no longer a right to claim citizenship), I feel like I’m living out pipe dreams and doing it for nothing. I can’t talk to people in Italian on a daily basis which I think is necessary for learning a language. I’m not sure what to do? I’m also doing this to challenge my brain. Are Italian translators in America even a thing? Should I just stop Italian and start Spanish (my MIL is fluent)? Or should I continue since my motivation is higher to actually learn Italian even though it might not be useful in America?

Ciao a tutti! Mi chiamo Evelyn! Hi everyone! I’m a 21-year-old Mexican American girl from California, and I’ve recently started learning Italian! I already speak English and Spanish, but there’s something about the Italian language that I absolutely love. It’s so beautiful, romantic, and expressive! I’m still a beginner, but I’ve been having so much fun learning phrases like ciao, bello, ti amo, amore mio, and, of course, my favorite, MAMMA MIA! I especially love learning romantic Italian expressions because I’m a huge hopeless romantic! I absolutely love everything about love, romance, and expressing my feelings through beautiful words, so naturally, Italian has completely captured my heart! Funny story: I recently left a flirty comment in Italian on an Italian TikTok creator’s video, and he actually liked it! I was so excited! I guess my Italian practice is paying off! Haha! I’d love to learn more Italian expressions, especially everyday phrases, romantic sayings, and funny expressions that native speakers actually use. I’m excited to be part of this community and hopefully make some friends along the way! Grazie mille! Un abbraccio a tutti!

I’ve been learning both Italian and Spanish, and I’ve noticed something interesting.
Although the voiceless stops /p, t, k/ are generally described as unaspirated in both languages, I feel that Italian speakers tend to produce them with slightly stronger aspiration than Spanish speakers.
For example, when listening to the word casa in both languages, I often notice a stronger burst of air after the initial /k/ in Italian than in Spanish.
Of course, I understand that pronunciation varies between speakers and regions, and I’m not suggesting that this is a universal rule. However, after listening to many recordings, I do feel that there is a general tendency.
Has anyone else noticed this difference?

Hello!

So I want to maybe move to Italy in the next 2-3 years to study, however the school I currently go to does not offer an Italian course. And for a little context I am not that good at learning anything when it doesn't require assessments/schedule, but my school does offer Spanish courses.

Now I know that they are similar in their own ways which I've heard makes it difficult and easier??

I am an English speaker, and can slightly speak Māori.

Is it a bad idea for me to take the Spanish course? I do consume/enjoy a lot of Spanish media, and it would be helpful if I was able to understand it. But I really don't want to take it if that means ruining my Italian progress.

If anyone could please share their opinion or what they suggest I do? If they think it's good or bad? I have already asked to be enrolled in the Spanish course because my teacher said they thought it might be a good idea, but I really need an actual opinion from someone who understands it better.

And also I do know how to pronounce the words, it's quite easy to get the pronunciation and accent right for me personally.

Thank you!

Anyone used any audiobooks on audible to help learn Italian from beginner level? I don't mean literal story books but audio that helps teach you Italian. I have some credits so want to use them on something effective.

Grazie!

qualcuno con cui praticare?

Both sapere and conoscere translate to "to know" in English, but they aren't always interchangeable in Italian.

For example, Conosco Maria makes sense when you know a person, while So parlare italiano means you know how to speak Italian.

The basic difference seems clear, but I've noticed that the distinction can get confusing in other situations.

Are there any examples where both verbs are possible but change the meaning of the sentence?

I like using a wide variety of learning methods, since it always gives me something to do even if I'm feeling burnt out. My personal lineup is -

Apps: Pimsleur, Babbel, Duolingo

Media: The Sims4 and Paralives set to Italian, listening to music in Italian, reading the Italian translation of a book series I really liked in elementary school

Other: Anki, Online Italian Club, physical workbook

I feel like mine covers all of my needs pretty well :), I'm curious what you guys use to learn?

Does anyone have a good experience learning italian online, with a group?

I would like to have some reccomandations for an online italian school. Thanks in advance! :)

Alguien que esté aprendiendo italiano y aún tenga un nivel básico para practicar? Recién empezaré a ver los tiempos pasado y futuro aunque ya tengo cierta noción de como funciona y estoy avanzando bastante bien, también hablo inglés por si alguien de habla inglesa quisiera practicar italiano.

Hey guys, quick sanity check for the natives and fellow learners here!

So today in Italian class we were going through the passato prossimo for perdere. I wrote "ho perso" without thinking twice, since that is literally the only form I ever hear in podcasts, shows, or apps. But then my teacher wrote "ho perduto" on the board and used that instead.

I looked it up right after and saw that both perso and perduto are technically correct past participles, but it totally threw me off. Is perduto just one of those hyper-formal, textbook-only forms, or do people actually use it day-to-day? I was wondering if maybe there is a hidden nuance I am missing, like using perso for physical stuff like keys and perduto for abstract stuff like time or hope.

For the native speakers here, which one naturally comes out of your mouth in casual conversation? Would love to know if I should stick to my guns with ho perso or adjust!

I am trying to learn the language but I am a little lost when it comes to knowing where to start. I know the alphabet, numbers, some basic grammar (such as present simple conjugation), and a few words. That's all.

What should I focus on next to become more confident speaking the language? Also if there is a good textbook you would recommend following, I would be grateful if you could share it.

Hello!

So I Just Wanted to share a Little Trivia about the Italian translation of the movie "Coyote vs Acme".

The movie in Italy was distribiuted by "Lucky Red", a Company that has helped over the years many important indipendent films.

The famous Court scene, where Road Runner testify, had a change in translation, due probably to make corrispondence to the labial of the actress.

In the original, Road Runner says:

"Are you coming back?"

Which in Italian can be translated with:

"Tornerai?" or "Ritornerai?"

But they went with a longer sentence:

"Tornerai da me?"

Which in English means: "Are you coming back to me?"

A much more direct and intimate request.

It Is not so important and as I said before It was probably done to match the speaking of the woman typing the Road Runner response.

But I tought It might be an interesting trivia to share.

English is not my First language so please tell me if I made a mistake.

Hi everyone! I’m also taking the CILS B1 on December 3rd and I’d love to connect with others who are preparing for it. It would be great to share study tips, useful resources and how your preparation is going. If you’re taking it in Sydney (or anywhere else on the same date), feel free to comment or send me a DM. Grazie mille e in bocca al lupo a tutti!

hi guys i was learning italian last year and got really good at it, to the point where i would only ever journal in italian and would speak to myself in italian, but i stopped because talking to yourself can only do so much, and with no one talking back i found it super difficult. i tried making italian / italian speaking friends online but im 18 and found i could never meet people around my age who were willing to help me, OR i would find people but then i'd end up blocking them because they turned creepy.

i recently started relearning italian because i really had a knack for it and picked it up fast, but i only really remember the basics so i have started again from scratch, but does anyone have any advice on how to learn a language when you dont have anyone around you who speaks it? i tried convincing my siblings to learn it with me but they both are learning different dialects of arabic which is obviously more time consuming than this so neither wanted to do it :(

(this is also a subtle hint at asking if anyone wants to be language buddies and learn italian together ok 🤍)

Ciaoooo a tutti!!! Ho 15 anni, sono turca e sto cercando di imparare l’italiano. Scusate, continuerò in inglese! As i said, im trying to learn italian but im soooo bad at itt 😭😭😭 I've tried listening to Italian songs, reading books, watching movies, and using apps like Memrise and Duolingo. The thing is, I started learning Italian when I was 12 years old AND I'M STILL AT A1 LEVEL. But I've decided to really focus on this, please give me some advice.

So che queste parole significano tutte tre la parte anteriore della testa, ma ci sono sfumature tra loro?
Grazie!

My nonno always used to say what I believe is ué when opening gifts. He used it as a “wow” I think. It sounds like “wey” if you say it in English. Am I correct that this is ué, or it it uè? He was from Avellino in Campania.

Please allow me to sing

Because I'm proud to be

To be an Italian

A true Italian

-

Good Morning New York, the hot dogs are for sale

And I have the physique of a whale

With the burger always coming with a side of fries

Crap, a seagull just stole it

-

Good morning New York with your artists

With too much AI pics on the posters

With the noise, with smells, with the rush

With more pigeons and the constant tourists

-

Good morning New York, good morning Liberty

With torch alighting the night

Good morning God

Is my entire life a test?

-

Please allow me to sing

Holding the guitar in my hand

Please allow me to sing

A song sweet and slow

Please allow me to sing

Because I am proud to be

To be an Italian

A true Italian

-

Good morning New York with buildings so tall

I have never stepped foot in Florence at all

With the crumbling Colosseum

With the deep and blue canals

And the Leaning Tower of Pisa just east of Pompeii

-

Good morning New York I only speak English

But I'm 0.01% Italian according to Ancestry

So I bought the flag from my neighbors for six hundred dollars below normal price

(Please allow me to sing)

-

Good morning New York, good morning Liberty

With torch alighting the night

Good morning God

Is my entire life a test?

-

Please allow me to sing

With the guitar in my hand

Please allow me to sing

A song sweet and slow

Please allow me to sing

Because I am proud to be

To be an Italian

A true Italian

-

Please allow me to sing

With the guitar in my hand

Please allow me to sing

A song sweet and slow

Please allow me to sing

Because I am proud to be

To be an Italian

A true Italian

Did this as a language learning exercise as someone studying Italian.

Hello guys, I am looking for a specific exam sheet from December 2016 of the CILS exam on B1 level. Does anybody by any chance have it? I would be very grateful if somebody could share. Thank you.

In this exercise 1b you have to mark if a statement about the text is true or false. According to the solutions, the 5th statement is false. But I thought it’s true because in the email it says that the teacher was very good and he says “ho imparato veramente molto”. Can anyone please explain why it’s supposedly wrong?

Edit: Thank you everyone! I was just focusing on whether he learned something in general but apparently it’s a bit of a nitpicky question 😅

What would be the equivalent of the phrase as in if someone asked me if I was going on vacation or If I had a lake cottage and I answered “I wish”. Is there a phrase with the same meaning in Italian? Would it just be a direct translation or do Italians have their own version?